Matthew 2:13-23

Have you ever had a dream that woke you from a dead sleep? Have you ever felt that God was speaking to you? What did you do?

The editors for the Spark Story Bible for children tell the story of one such encounter (actually 3 dreams) like this:

Joseph’s eyes popped open in the middle of the night. A shiny angel brought him God’s message in a dream. “Jesus is in danger! King Herod doesn’t like the baby king. He doesn’t want anybody to be a king except himself! You must take Jesus and Mary to hide in Egypt.”

Ready, set, go! Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were off to Egypt. God was with them. God kept them safe.

Later, Joseph had another dream. “Go back to Israel,” the sparkly angel said. “It’s safe now.”

Ready, set, go! The family rushed back to Israel. God was with them. God kept them safe.

Then Joseph had a third dream! “Move to Nazareth!” the bright angel said.

Ready, set, go! Joseph, Mary, and Jesus hurried to Nazareth. Jesus’ family made a home there. God was with them. God always kept them safe.

Then the editors close out this devotion asking the children (and the adults who might be helping them with the story)

“If you were having dreams like Joseph, what would you do? What if you were Mary?”

Well, have you ever had a dream that woke you from your sleep —- a dream in which you felt that God was speaking to you?

What should you do?

Prayer

Lord, speak to me that I may listen, learn, and explore Your will more deeply for my life. Keep me attentive, as I faithfully follow my Lord and Savior Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.